Growing up, I was the one called "skinny minnie" but you'd never guess that now.  In looking back, I was just an average-sized child, but in comparison to my parents and older sister who were considerably overweight, I appeared like that. 

I've always been the athlete of the family, being really involved in softball since 4th grade.  Rode my bike all over and since we had a pool, swam alot, too.  It was probably about that time I gradually starting increasing in my weight.  Macaroni & cheese was my favorite food.  I also love bread.  Never much of a "chocoholic" but what kid doesn't like candy?  My dad would bring home "goodies" and of course, I indulged.  I love Coca-Cola....the REAL thing.  I would drink a lot of soda.  All these things led to my path towards obesity.

By the time I was in High School, I weighed 164 and stayed at that weight until I graduated in 1978.  I thought I was fat, but was only about 15 pounds overweight, and I was very athletic, so I never really worried about my weight.  I have NEVER had a "girlie" figure; boy's jeans fit me.  I'd buy ladies clothes a size or two bigger, just to fit in the waist. 

Then came my first job...McDonald's.  It didn't take long to start putting on weight and developing skin blemishes.  Every time I tried to go on a "diet" I seemed to gain weight.  At that time, the "fad" was low fat, high carb.  Well, when I would do that, of course I gained weight, and when I just ate what I wanted, I'd lose.  Too bad I didn't understand about low carb & high protein back then.  I may have saved myself alot of grief, but then I wouldn't be who I am today.

In college and nursing school, we had to eat cheaply.  Healthy, nutritious food is expensive.  What's affordable for people with limited income?  Carbs.  Not the "good" ones: pasta, rice, beans, pizza, sandwiches.  Fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats are a luxury.  It shouldn't be that way. 

Then, in March of 1986, I was in an automobile accident in which I fractured my pelvis in two places, and several ribs.  Couldn't walk without crutches, but the crutches aggravated my broken ribs.  So, what did I do while I was off work?  Eat, sleep and watch TV.  Hurt too much to do anything else.  Gained about 30 pounds. 

When summer came around, I tried to play ball for my church team, but it hurt so bad to run, I ended up giving up my favorite sport.  A few months later, I tried to play tennis, but that, too, became so painful, I gave that up. 

I became a traveling nurse and went to Hawaii, and loved it.  Went to Atlanta for my next assignment, and then moved to Los Angeles to work as a recruiter for one of the travel nurse companies.  You definitely don't find southern hospitality there.  Especially for a young lady that is overweight. 

Hawaii was full of people that were heavy, and I fit right in.  I did get a bike and rode it to work, went to the gym and was in pretty good shape, but was still thinking that low fat was the way to go, but if you check out the regular and "lite" or "low fat" versions of food, the supposedly "healthier" version has many more carbs and sugars.  My weight stayed around 220, but had a lot of energy due to my activity. 

Married a Hawaiian young man and we moved to my hometown, Mobile (Alabama), and it was so hot and humid, I didn't continue the exercising like I had been accustomed to, so the weight crept up.  He was also jealous, so I guess he thought if I stayed fat, other guys wouldn't pay me any attention, so he sabotaged any effort to lose weight.  He also became abusive.  I thought it was my fault.  I ate for comfort.  Gained more weight.

Eventually moved back to Hawaii, had two children, and I've been in the 290's ever since.  My "baby" turned 13 in September of 2006, and I'm still the same weight I was at term with him in 1993.

I divorced my children's father in 1998, and re-married in 1999 to a man who loves me just the way I am.  I tried many weight loss programs over the years, and the only one that every really seemed to work, was the Somersize Program by Suzanne Somers.  I lost 50# in 5 months in 2003, but I elected to have hemorrhoid surgery, and after that, it was impossible to eat high protein foods.  Hurt to pass them.  So, it was easy to eat easily digestable foods: macaroni, mashed potatoes, etc.  and the weight gradually crept back up.

My insurance in Arizona didn't cover the surgery, and with a husband and 4 kids, I couldn't afford it on my own.  After returning to Alabama in 2003, I worked at a hospital that did about 20 bariatric surgeries weekly, and was planning on having it done, but the day I was inquiring with my boss about the best time to take a month off work, I slipped and fractured my kneecap, and ended up out of work, lost my insurance, and sunk deep into depression.  Almost lost my house.  Thankfully, God provided during these difficult times.

I was able to work part-time in a clinic, then had my knee surgery in November of 2005.  Had to go back after 3 months to per-diem status, as I was still having difficulty with my knee.  By October of 2006, I was able to return to hospital nursing part-time.  I still have quite a bit of pain in my knee, but I love taking care of my oncology patients.  Makes my problems seem so much smaller in comparison to what they are going through.

I have considered bariatric surgery for about 6 years.  I've done a lot of research, spoken with many, many people who have had the surgery, and the comment I hear more than anything else is "I wish I had done it sooner."  I wanted to, but roadblocks kept popping up, so I guess it wasn't my time yet.  Now, the doors are opening wide, and I'm READY to go through and succeed.

I know surgery is a tool, not an instant gratification for a problem I've had for over 20 years.  Being a nurse, I feel like such a hypocrite telling patient to stop smoking since it's bad on their health, when I'm 150# overweight.  I need to be an example.  I want to be able to play softball again.  To play tennis, ride a bike and all the other things I've missed out on for many years due to my weight problem.  I want to be a traveling nurse again after my kids are out of school.  I want to LIVE.  I want to be an inspiration and someone my children, husband, mom, sister, and assorted relatives can be proud of, but most importantly, to be a positive witness to Jesus Christ, in whom all things are possible.

addendum: Now, December of 2007, I am 8 months post-op and the girls at work call me skinny minnie, just like my dad did when I was about 4 or 5!  I actually am NOT skinny, but to those who knew me before WLS, I am!  I'm not the BIG MAMA I was....I'm Little Mama now!  I feel so much better, and it's wonderful to shop for clothes in the ladies or juniors department!  It's hard to describe what losing 120# feels like.  AMAZING is what comes to mind!

About Me
Huntsville, AL
Location
29.6
BMI
RNY
Surgery
04/02/2007
Surgery Date
Mar 05, 2007
Member Since

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